Latch mechanism for communication module

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments include a latch mechanism and an optoelectronic module that includes the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism may include a driver, a follower, a pivot member, and a cam member. The driver may be configured to rotate relative to a housing of the optoelectronic module about an axis of rotation. The follower may be configured to be slidably positioned relative the housing. The follower may include a resilient member configured to interface with the housing and may define an opening including a protuberance. The pivot member may be coupled to the driver or to the housing and may define the axis of rotation. The cam member may be coupled to the driver and may be configured to engage the follower from within the opening so as to urge the follower to slide relative to the housing as the driver is rotated between a latched position and an unlatched position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/198,338 filed Mar. 5, 2015, which claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/772,953, filedMar. 5, 2013, both of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

FIELD

The embodiments discussed herein relate generally to communicationmodules. More particularly, example embodiments relate to latchmechanisms to selectively engage communication modules within a cage ofa host device.

BACKGROUND

Communication modules, such as electronic or optoelectronic transceiveror transponder modules, are increasingly used in electronic andoptoelectronic communication. Some modules are pluggable, which permitsthe module to be inserted into and removed from a housing of a hostdevice, such as a host computer, switching hub, network router, orswitch box. Latch mechanisms within the housing of the host device maybe made to physically secure an inserted communication module intoplace. To remove the communication module, the latch mechanism may bemanipulated to physically unsecure the communication module.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodimentsdescribed herein may be practiced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of thepresent invention, a more particular description of the invention willbe rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of portions of an example host deviceand an example optoelectronic module in a latched configuration andinserted into a cage of the host device;

FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of the example optoelectronic moduleof FIG. 1 in a latched configuration with the portions of the examplehost device omitted;

FIG. 2B is a top perspective exploded view of the example optoelectronicmodule of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a bottom perspective view of the example optoelectronicmodule of FIG. 2A in the latched configuration;

FIG. 2D is a bottom perspective exploded view of the exampleoptoelectronic module of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E is a top perspective view of the example optoelectronic moduleof FIG. 2A in an unlatched configuration;

FIG. 2F is a bottom perspective view of the example optoelectronicmodule of FIG. 2A in the unlatched configuration;

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of another example optoelectronicmodule in a latched configuration;

FIG. 3B is a top perspective exploded view of the example optoelectronicmodule of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a bottom perspective view of the example optoelectronicmodule of FIG. 3A in the latched configuration;

FIG. 3D is a bottom perspective exploded view of the exampleoptoelectronic module of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E is a top perspective view of the example optoelectronic moduleof FIG. 3A in an unlatched configuration;

FIG. 3F is a bottom perspective view of the example optoelectronicmodule of FIG. 3A in the unlatched configuration;

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of yet another example optoelectronicmodule in a latched configuration;

FIG. 4B is a top perspective exploded view of the example optoelectronicmodule of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a bottom perspective view of the example optoelectronicmodule of FIG. 4A in the latched configuration;

FIG. 4D is a bottom perspective exploded view of the exampleoptoelectronic module of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4E is a top perspective view of the example optoelectronic moduleof FIG. 4A in an unlatched configuration; and

FIG. 4F is a bottom perspective view of the example optoelectronicmodule of FIG. 4A in the unlatched configuration;

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments relate to latch mechanisms to selectively engagecommunication modules with a cage of a host device and to selectivelyengageable communication modules that include such latch mechanisms.Embodiments described herein may include fewer and/or less complexparts, and may allow for simplified assembly compared to traditionaland/or other latch mechanisms. For at least these reasons, embodimentsof the latch mechanism may be less expensive and/or less expensive toimplement with communication modules than conventional latch mechanisms.

Some example embodiments of the latch mechanisms disclosed herein maygenerate a highly reliable and highly repeatable mechanism to secure thelatch in a latched position until the latch is purposely moved out ofthe latched position. The securing mechanism may provide a user withmechanical, visible, and/or audible feedback of the latch “snapping”into and out of the latch position as the latch is operated.

Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures willbe provided with like reference designations. The drawings arediagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplary embodiments and,accordingly, are not limiting of the scope of the claimed subjectmatter, nor are the drawings necessarily drawn to scale. It should alsobe understood that many of the features of the disclosed embodiments maybe substantially symmetrical. A pluralized reference to a feature mayrefer to a pair of similar features of which only one may be labeled inthe drawings.

1. Example Host Device and Communication Module

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of portions of an example host device100 and an example optoelectronic module 200 inserted into a cage 102 ofthe host device 100. The optoelectronic module 200 is in a latchedconfiguration. In the latched configuration, the optoelectronic module200 engages, or can engage, the host device 100. In contrast, in anunlatched configuration, the optoelectronic module 200 disengages, or isdisengaged from, the host device 100.

In general, the optoelectronic module 200 may be employed in thecommunication of optical signals in connection with the host device 100being employed in the communication of corresponding electrical signals.For example, the host device 100 may provide outbound electrical datasignals to the optoelectronic module 200, which the optoelectronicmodule 200 converts to outbound optical data signals that are emittedonto an optical network. Alternately or additionally, the optoelectronicmodule 200 may receive inbound optical data signals from the opticalnetwork, which the optoelectronic module 200 converts to inboundelectrical data signals that are provided to the host device 100.

The optoelectronic module 200 may include a port 204 at a front of theoptoelectronic module 200. The port 204 may be configured to receive andsecure one or more optical fibers (not shown) and/or one or more fiberoptic connectors to which the one or more optical fibers may be coupled.The optoelectronic module 200 can be configured for optical signaltransmission and reception via the port 204 at a variety of data ratesincluding, but not limited to, 1.25 gigabits per second (Gb/s), 2.125Gb/s, 2.5 Gb/s, 4.25 Gb/s, 8.5 Gb/s, 10.3 Gb/s, 10.5 Gb/s, 11.3 Gb/s,14.025 Gb/s, or 100 Gb/s, or higher. Furthermore, the optoelectronicmodule 200 can be configured for optical signal transmission andreception at various wavelengths including, but not limited to, 850nanometers (nm), 1310 nm, 1470 nm, 1490 nm, 1510 nm, 1530 nm, 1550 nm,1570 nm, 1590 nm, or 1610 nm. Further, the optoelectronic module 200 canbe configured to support various communication protocols including, butnot limited to, Optical Fast Ethernet, Optical Gigabit Ethernet, 10Gigabit Ethernet, and 1×, 2×, 4×, 8×, and 16× Fibre Channel. Inaddition, although one example of the optoelectronic module 200 isconfigured to have a form factor that is substantially compliant withthe CFP4 multi-source agreement (MSA), the optoelectronic module 200 canalternatively be configured in a variety of different form factors thatare substantially compliant with other MSAs including, but not limitedto, the CFP MSA, the CFP2 MSA, the QSFP MSA, the QSFP+MSA the XFP MSA,the SFP MSA, or the SFP+MSA. Finally, although the optoelectronic module200 is illustrated as a pluggable optoelectronic transceiver module,example embodiments of the latch mechanism disclosed herein canalternatively be employed, for example, in connection with pluggableelectronic transceiver modules, other pluggable electronic devices suchas pluggable media drives, or the like. Electronic and optoelectronictransceiver and transponder modules may be generically referred toherein as communication modules. Moreover, some embodiments of the latchmechanism described herein may include a driver and a follower, asdescribed in more detail below.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the cage 102 is connected to aprinted circuit board (not shown) of the host device 100. The cage 102is configured to at least partially receive the optoelectronic module200. The cage 102 includes a pair of inwardly biased leaf springs 104located on opposite sides of the cage 102. Although the leaf springs 104are inwardly biased, the leaf springs 104 do not substantially impedethe insertion of the optoelectronic module 200 into the cage 102. Theleaf springs 104 extend away or rearward from a front of the cage 102where the optoelectronic module 200 is at least partially received.

The host device 100 generally forms an electrical connection with theoptoelectronic module 200 through which electrical signals may becommunicated between the host device 100 and the optoelectronic module200. For example, the host device 100 may include a connector thatelectrically and communicatively couples a printed circuit board (PCB)(not shown in FIG. 1) of the host device 100 to a PCB edge connector(not shown in FIG. 1) of the optoelectronic module 200. Alternately oradditionally, the cage 102 may ground the optoelectronic module 200 tothe host device 100.

FIGS. 2A-2F are various views of the example optoelectronic module 200with the portions of the example host device 100 of FIG. 1 omitted.FIGS. 2A and 2E are top perspective views, FIG. 2B is a top perspectiveexploded view, FIGS. 2C and 2F are bottom perspective views, and FIG. 2Dis a bottom perspective exploded view. FIGS. 2A and 2C show theoptoelectronic module 200 in a latched configuration. FIGS. 2E and 2Fshow the optoelectronic module 200 in an unlatched configuration.

The example optoelectronic module 200 includes a bottom housing 202 anda top housing 203. Together, the bottom housing 202 and the top housing203 form what may be generally referred to as a housing 201 of theoptoelectronic module 200. The bottom housing 202 and/or the top housing203 may at least partially surround receiver and/or transmittercircuitry (not shown), including a PCB having an edge connector (notshown) configured to be electrically coupled to a host device such asthe host device 100 of FIG. 1.

2. Example Latch Mechanism

The optoelectronic module 200 includes a driver 220 and a follower 206which collectively form a latch mechanism. The driver and the follower206 may be formed in various ways, including, but not limited to, beingformed from metal or molded from hard plastic.

The follower 206 is configured to be slidingly positioned relative tothe housing 201. The follower 206 is shown in a first location relativeto the housing 201, which may be described herein as a latched location.In the disclosed embodiment, the follower 206 includes a pair offollower arms 214. The follower arms 214 may be configured to bepositioned on opposite sides of the housing 201. In addition, and asillustrated, the follower 206 may include a base 250 and two uprightportions that extend in a common direction that is orthogonal orsubstantially orthogonal to the base 250 of the follower and fromopposite ends of the base 250 of the follower. Each of the arms 214 mayextend rearward from a corresponding one of the upright portions. Inaddition, each of the two upright portions may define an “L” likeopening 222 that includes an upright slot 252 connected to a horizontalslot 254 described in more detail herein.

A front of the housing 201, or at least a portion thereof, may be atleast partially disposed between the two upright portions of thefollower 206. The two upright portions of the follower 206 may be atleast partially disposed between two arms of the driver 220.

The follower arms 214 include recesses 210. The recesses 210 and thehousing 201 are configured such that leaf springs of a cage, such as theleaf springs 104 of the cage 102 of FIG. 1, may fit at least partiallywithin the recesses 210 when the optoelectronic module 200 is in thelatched configuration.

The housing 201 includes shoulders 216 proximate to the recesses 210.The shoulders 216 are configured to at least partially abut the leafsprings 104 positioned within the recesses 210. When the optoelectronicmodule 200 is in the latched configuration, the leaf springs 104 of thehost device 100 engage the shoulders 216 of the optoelectronic module200 to prevent the optoelectronic module 200 from moving significantlywithin the cage 102, and more particularly, from being removed from thecage 102. As a result, unintentional disconnection and/or removal of theoptoelectronic module 200 from the host device 100 can be reduced andpotentially eliminated.

As shown, in some embodiments, the follower arms 214 may include ordefine electromagnetic interference (EMI) windows 208. The EMI windows208 may allow EMI protrusions 209 on the housing 201 to make contactwith an EMI shield (not shown) of the cage 102.

Increased contact between the housing 201 and an EMI shield by way ofthe EMI protrusions 209 may improve EMI shielding. In some embodiments,the follower 206 and the housing 201, including the EMI protrusions 209,are configured such that the EMI shield of the cage 102 makes contactwith only the housing 201 and not the follower 206.

Although the EMI windows 208 are shown as being located or definedcompletely within the follower arms 214, the EMI windows 208 mayalternately or additionally be located at the top and/or bottom edges ofthe follower arms 214. Furthermore, as best seen in FIGS. 2A, 2C, 2E,and 2F, the EMI windows 208 and EMI protrusions 209 may be shaped suchthat the follower 206 can slide relative to the housing 201 as thedriver 220 is rotated between the latched position (as shown in FIGS. 2Aand 2C) and the unlatched position (as shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F). Inparticular, the EMI windows 208 may be oversized in the slidingdirection of the follower 206 relative to the EMI protrusions 209. Assuch, the follower 206 to may be able to slide at least some distancerelative to the housing 201 before (or without) a front or back end ofthe EMI windows 208 engages the EMI protrusions 209 and prevents thefollower 206 from the relative sliding.

Electromagnetic interference leaked from the cage 102 may be reduced andEMI performance of the optoelectronic module 200 and nearby modules (notshown) may be improved compared to conventional optoelectronic modulesthat do not facilitate contact between the housing and the EMI shieldnear the follower arms. For example, conventional latch mechanisms mayinclude follower arms interposed between the housing and the EMI shieldsuch that the EMI shield makes little or no contact with the sides ofthe housing.

The follower arms 214 may each include one or more fingers 215 thatextend beyond the shoulders 216 when the optoelectronic module 200 is inthe latched configuration (as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C). The fingers 215may include ramped surfaces 212. When the optoelectronic module 200 ismoved from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration (asshown in FIGS. 2E and 2F), the fingers 215 move toward the front of theoptoelectronic module 200 and the ramped surfaces 212 move the leafsprings 104 out of the recesses 210 such that the leaf springs 104 nolonger abut or engage the shoulders 216. When the leaf springs 104 nolonger abut or engage the shoulders 216, the optoelectronic module 200may be removed from the cage 102. Moving the optoelectronic module 200from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration isgenerally accomplished when the driver 220 is rotated from the latchedposition (as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C) to the unlatched position (asshown in FIGS. 2E and 2F).

The optoelectronic module 200 is configured such that the driver 220rotates relative to the housing 201. The optoelectronic module 200 mayinclude members such as pivot pins 224 that interface with the housing201 and the driver 220 to allow the driver 220 to rotate relative to thehousing 201 about the pivot pins 224 and/or about a rotational axisdefined by the pivot pins 224 and corresponding openings 226 in thehousing 201. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2D, the pivot pins 224 may beinserted through openings 221 in the driver 220 and into the housing 201via the openings 226. In some embodiments, the pivot pins 224 areexternally threaded along at least a portion of a shaft of each of thepivot pins 224 and the openings 226 of the housing 201 includecomplementary internal threads. The pivot pins 224 may be secured atleast axially to the housing 201 and/or the driver 220. In place of thepivot pins 224 and the openings 226, the housing 201 may includeprojections (not shown) that are received into the openings 221 of thedriver 220 and that define the rotational axis about which the driver220 may rotate. Alternatively, in place of the pivot pins 224 and theopenings 221, the driver 220 may include projections (not shown) thatare received into the openings 226 of the housing 201 and that definethe rotational axis about which the driver 220 may rotate.

The driver 220 and the follower 206 are configured such that thefollower 206 moves relative to the housing 201 when the driver 220 isrotated between the latched and unlatched positions. In particular, thefollower 206 slides forward relative to the housing 201 responsive torotation of the driver 220 from the latched position to the unlatchedposition, and slides backward relative to the housing 201 responsive torotation of the driver from the unlatched position to the latchedposition. As may be best illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2D, cam pins 218may be at least partially inserted through openings 217 in the driver220 and at least partially in openings 222 of the follower 206.Optionally, the cam pins 218 may be at least partially received in slots228 formed in the housing 201. The slots 228 may be shaped to encouragethe cam pins 218, and by extension, the driver 220 to follow a desiredsemicircular path as the driver 220 is rotated. Alternately oradditionally, the slots 228 may be shaped to accommodate the cam pins218 as they follow the desired semicircular path as the driver 220 isrotated.

Each of the cam pins 218 includes a head positioned on an outside of acorresponding arm of the driver 220 and a shaft that extends from thehead of the corresponding cam pin 218 through corresponding opening 217of the corresponding arm of the driver 220 toward the opposite arm ofthe driver 220.

The openings 222 may be shaped to encourage the follower 206 to movebetween the latched location (as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C) and theunlatched location (as shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F) as the driver 220 isrotated between the latched and unlatched positions, respectively. Thecam pins 218 may interface with the openings 222 such that the cam pins218 urge the follower 206 to the unlatched location when the driver 220is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position.Similarly, the cam pins 218 may interface with the openings 222 suchthat the cam pins 218 urge the follower 206 to the latched location whenthe driver 220 is rotated from the unlatched position to the latchedposition.

In some embodiments, the openings 222 may include protuberances 236. Thecam pins 218 may interface with the protuberances 236 such that thefollower 206 is urged toward an intermediate position relative to thehousing 201 as the cam pins 218 travel along the protuberances 236.

The protuberances 236 may generally urge the follower 206 against abiasing device such that a user applies force to the driver 220 to causethe cam pins 218 to travel along the protuberances 236. For example, thefollower 206 may be urged against a cantilever spring 232 as the campins 218 travel along the protuberances 236, causing the cantileverspring 232 to urge the follower 206 with increased force. Althoughillustrated as a cantilever spring 232, the biasing device may includeother resilient members, such as torsion springs, coil springs, leafsprings, rubber members, and the like. Although many other springs maybe employed, the cantilever spring 232 or other resilient members formedas a part of follower 206 may advantageously reduce the number of partsand/or the assembly complexity of the latch mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the cantilever spring 232 interfaces with thehousing 201 via an indentation 234 such that the cantilever spring 232urges the follower 206 toward the front of the optoelectronic module 200when the optoelectronic module 200 is in the latched configuration andwhen the cam pins 218 travel along the protuberances 236.

The protuberances 236 may be positioned such that the openings 222include concavities 238. The cam pins 218 may be located at leastpartially in the concavities 238 when the optoelectronic module 200 isin the latched configuration. The protuberances 236 may encourage theoptoelectronic module 200 to stay in the latched position in the absenceof the driver 220 being purposefully rotated. As the optoelectronicmodule 200 moves from the latched position to the unlatched position,the cam pins 218 slide from the concavities 238 along the protuberances236 such that the follower 206 is urged toward the rear of theoptoelectronic module 200. As the follower 206 is urged toward the rearof the optoelectronic module 200, the cantilever spring 232 is furtherresiliently deformed and urges the follower 206 toward the front of theoptoelectronic module 200.

Put another way, the protuberances 236, the concavities 238 and theaccompanying cantilever spring 232 may form a detent such that theoptoelectronic module 200 remains securely in the latched configurationuntil a user purposely rotates the driver 220 out of its latchedposition. Advantageously, the detent may provide physical, visible,and/or audible feedback to a user of the latch mechanism. Theprotuberances 236, concavities 238 and accompanying cantilever spring232 may cause the driver 220 to “snap” into and out of the latchedposition.

In some embodiments, a similar detent may be formed for securing theoptoelectronic module 200 in the unlatched configuration until a userpurposely rotates the driver 220 out of its unlatched position.

When the driver 220 is purposely rotated from the latched positiontoward the unlatched position about the pivot pins 224, the cam pins 218travel along the protuberances 236 such that the cam pins 218 arereleased from the latched position. As the driver 220 continues torotate toward the unlatched position, the cam pins 218 travel alongslots 240 of the openings 222. As the cam pins 218 travel along theslots 240, the cam pins 218 interface with walls of the slots 240 suchthat the cam pins 218 urge the follower 206 toward the front of theoptoelectronic module 200 and toward the unlatched location.

The openings 222 may include slots 242 such that the pivot pins 224 donot encumber the follower 206 as it travels between the latched andunlatched positions.

The rotation of the driver 220 may be stopped in the unlatched positionwhen the follower 206 is in the unlatched location and theoptoelectronic module 200 is in the unlatched configuration. Themovement of the driver 220 and/or the follower 206 may be stopped whenthe cam pins 218 abut the end of the slots 228 and/or the openings 222,the EMI windows 208 abut the EMI protrusions 209, or the like.

Thus, in summary, when the driver 220 is rotated from the latchedposition to the unlatched position, the cam pins 218 may generally movein a semicircular path corresponding to the slots 228 from thebottom/rear of the slots 228 to the top/front of the slots 228. As thecam pins 218 move in the semicircular path, the cam pins 218 engage thefollower 206 at the front of the slots 240 of the openings 222 and causethe follower 206 to slide forward relative to the housing 201. When thecam pins 218 reach the top/front of the slots 228 or the top of theslots 240 of the openings 222, and/or when the rear of each of the EMIwindows 208 abuts the rear of each of the EMI protrusions 209, thefollower 206 may stop at its forward-most position relative to thehousing 201.

Analogously, when the driver 220 is rotated from the unlatched positionto the latched position, the cam pins 218 may generally move in thesemicircular path corresponding to the slots 228 from the top/front ofthe slots 228 to the bottom/rear of the slots 228. As the cam pins 218move in the semicircular path, the cam pins 218 engage the follower 206at the rear of the slots 240 of the openings 222 and cause the follower206 to slide rearward relative to the housing 201. When the cam pins 218reach the bottom/rear of the slots 228 or the concavities 238 of theopenings 222, and/or when the front of each of the EMI windows 208 abutsthe front of each of the EMI protrusions 209, the follower 206 may stopat its rearward-most position relative to the housing 201.

As may be best illustrated in FIG. 2F, in some embodiments, thecantilever spring 232 is not deformed when the optoelectronic module 200is in the unlatched position such that the cantilever spring 232 doesnot urge the follower 206 when in the unlatched position.

3. Other Embodiments

FIGS. 3A-3F are various views of another example optoelectronic module300. FIGS. 3A and 3E are top perspective views, FIG. 3B is a topperspective exploded view, FIGS. 3C and 3F are bottom perspective views,and FIG. 3D is a bottom perspective exploded view. FIGS. 3A and 3C showthe optoelectronic module 300 in a latched configuration. FIGS. 3E and3F show the optoelectronic module 300 in an unlatched configuration.

The optoelectronic module 300 includes a bottom housing 302 and a tophousing 303. Together, the bottom housing 302 and the top housing 303form what may be generally referred to as a housing 301 of theoptoelectronic module 300. The housing 301, the bottom housing 302, andthe top housing 303 may generally correspond to the housing 201, thebottom housing 202, and the top housing 203 of FIGS. 2A-2F.

The optoelectronic module 300 includes a driver 320 and a follower 306.The driver 320 and follower 306 may generally correspond to the driver220 and follower 206 of FIGS. 2A-2F.

Cam pins 218 may be inserted through openings 217 in the driver 320 andat least partially in openings 322 of the follower 306. Althoughoptional, the cam pins 218 may be received in slots 328 generallycorresponding to slots 228 of FIGS. 2A-2F.

The openings 322 may be shaped to encourage the follower 306 to movebetween the latched location (as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C) and theunlatched location (as shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F) as the driver 320 isrotated between the latched and unlatched positions, respectively. Thecam pins 218 may interface with upper sections 340, protuberances 336and concavities 338 of the openings 322 such that the cam pins 218 urgethe follower 306 to the unlatched location when the driver 320 isrotated from the latched position to the unlatched position. Theprotuberances 336 and concavities 338 generally correspond, at least infunction, to the protuberances 236 and concavities 238 of theoptoelectronic module 200 of FIGS. 2A-2F.

The optoelectronic module 300 includes compression springs 332 andindentations 334. The follower 306 may include engaging members 337configured to interface with the compression springs 332 such that thecompression springs 332 urge the follower 306 toward the rear of thehousing 301. In some embodiments, the follower 306 may include springopenings 335 through which the compression springs 332 may be insertedinto the indentations 334 during assembly of the optoelectronic module300. The compression springs 332 may be configured to form a detent withthe protuberances 336 and the concavities 338 in a manner generallycorresponding to that of the cantilever spring 232 of FIGS. 2A-2F.

The optoelectronic module 300 may also include slots 323 through whichthe pivot pins 224 may be inserted. The slots 323 may generallycorrespond to the slots 242 of FIGS. 2A-2F.

Operation of the driver 320 and the follower 306 is generally similar tooperation of the driver 220 and the follower 206 and will not bedescribed again.

FIGS. 4A-4F are various views of yet another example optoelectronicmodule 400. FIGS. 4A and 4E are top perspective views, FIG. 4B is a topperspective exploded view, FIGS. 4C and 4F are bottom perspective views,and FIG. 4D is a bottom perspective exploded view. FIGS. 4A and 4C showthe optoelectronic module 400 in a latched configuration. FIGS. 4E and4F show the optoelectronic module 400 in an unlatched configuration.

The example optoelectronic module 400 includes a bottom housing 402 anda top housing 403. Together, the bottom housing 402 and the top housing403 form what may be generally referred to as a housing 401 of theoptoelectronic module 400. The housing 401, the bottom housing 402, andthe top housing 403 may generally correspond to the housing 201, thebottom housing 202, and the top housing 203 of FIGS. 2A-2F. Theoptoelectronic module 400 may include a transmit port 407 and a receiveport 405 configured for optical signal transmission in a mannergenerally corresponding to the port 204 of FIGS. 2A-2F. Moreparticularly, the optoelectronic module 400 may be configured to emitoutbound optical data signals onto an optical network through an opticalfiber and/or fiber optic connector coupled to the transmit port 407. Inaddition, the optoelectronic module 400 may be configured to receiveinbound optical data signals from the optical network through an opticalfiber and/or fiber optic connector coupled to the receive port 405.

The optoelectronic module 400 includes a driver 420 and a follower 406.The driver 420 and follower 406 may generally correspond to the driver220 and follower 206 of FIGS. 2A-2F.

The follower 406 may include follower arms 414 generally correspondingto the follower arms 214 of FIGS. 2A-2F. EMI windows have been omittedfrom the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4F. In other embodiments, the followerarms 414 include EMI windows similar or identical to the EMI windows 208of FIGS. 2A-3F.

The optoelectronic module 400 may include pivot protrusions 424configured to interface with pivot openings 421 of the driver 420 suchthat the driver 420 may rotate relative the housing 401 about arotational axis defined by the pivot protrusions 424 and the pivotopenings 421. Slots 425 in the follower 406 may allow the follower 406to slide relative to the pivot protrusions 424.

Cam pins 418 may be inserted through openings 417 in the driver 420 andat least partially in openings 422 of the follower 406. Althoughoptional, the cam pins 418 may be received in slots 428 of the housing401 that generally correspond to slots 228 of FIGS. 2A-2F. In someembodiments, the cam pins 418 may form part of the driver 420. Forexample, the driver 420 may be cast or otherwise formed to integrallyinclude the cam pins 418 as a portion of the driver 420.

The openings 422 may be shaped to encourage the follower 406 to movebetween the latched location (as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C) and theunlatched location (as shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F) as the driver 420 isrotated between the latched and unlatched positions, respectively. Inmore detail, the openings 422 may include slots 440, protuberances 436,and concavities 438. The cam pins 418 may interface with the slots 440,the protuberances 336 and the concavities 438 of the openings 422 suchthat the cam pins 418 urge the follower 406 to the unlatched locationwhen the driver 420 is rotated from the latched position to theunlatched position. Similarly, the cam pins 418 may interface with theopenings 422 such that the cam pins 418 urge the follower 406 to thelatched location when the driver 420 is rotated from the unlatchedposition to the latched position.

The slots 440, protuberances 436 and concavities 438 may generallycorrespond, at least in function, to the slots 240, the protuberances236 and the concavities 238 of FIGS. 2A-2F.

Similar to the follower 206 of FIGS. 2A-2F, the follower 406 may includethe cantilever spring 232, which may be configured to form a detent withthe protuberances 436 and the concavities 438 in a manner generallycorresponding to that of the optoelectronic module 200 of FIGS. 2A-2F.

The follower 406 may include stopping protrusions 408 configured to abutstops 430 on the housing 401 when the follower is in the unlatchedlocation.

The driver 420 and the cam pins 418 may be pre-assembled together(and/or integrally formed together) before the driver 420, the follower406 and the housing 401 are assembled together. Advantageously,assembling the latch mechanism may include placing only two pieces—thedriver 420 including the cam pins 418 and the follower 406—on thehousing 401. Advantageously, the two-piece assembly process mayeliminate the time-consuming process of pressing pins into the assembly.The shape of the pivot protrusions 424 may allow the pivot protrusions424 of the housing 401 to be inserted through the openings 422 of thefollower 406 during assembly. To assemble the optoelectronic module 400,the follower 406 may be positioned on the housing 401 such that theopenings in the slots 440 of the follower 406 align with the openings inthe slots 428 of the housing 401. The cam pins 418 may then be insertedinto the aligned openings of the slots 440 and the slots 428 as thepivot openings 421 are positioned on the pivot protrusions 424. Then,the follower 406 may be snapped into place on the housing 401, includinginserting the cantilever spring 232 into an indentation 434 on thehousing 401.

Accordingly, some embodiments described herein may include anoptoelectronic module, such as the optoelectronic modules 200, 300, 400described herein. The optoelectronic module may include a housing, adriver, and a follower, such as the housing 201, 301, 401, the driver220, 320, 420, and the follower 206, 306, 406. In these and otherembodiments, the driver may be rotatably coupled to the housing and maybe configured to rotate relative to the housing about an axis ofrotation. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-4F, the driver may include a base260 and first and second arms 262, 264 that extend in a common directionfrom opposite ends of the base 260, where the common direction isorthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the base 260. The follower maybe slidably coupled to the housing and may be configured to slideforward or rearward relative to the housing in response to rotation ofthe driver about the axis of rotation.

The optoelectronic module may additionally first and second pivotmembers and first and second cam members. The pivot pins 224 in FIGS.2A-3F and the pivot protrusions 424 of FIGS. 4A-4F are examples of firstand second pivot members. The cam pins 218 and 418 of FIGS. 2A-4F areexamples of first and second cam members. The first pivot member may becoupled to the first arm of the driver or to the housing. Analogously,the second pivot member may be coupled to the second arm of the driveror to the housing. The first and second pivot members define the axis ofrotation. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-4F, the first cam member may becoupled to the first arm of the driver at a first location radiallyoffset from the axis of rotation, while the second cam member may becoupled to the second arm of the driver at a second location radiallyoffset from the axis of rotation.

Alternately or additionally, some embodiments described herein mayinclude a latch mechanism that includes a driver and a follower, such asthe driver 220, 320, 420 and the follower 206, 306, 406 describedherein. The driver may be configured to rotate relative to a housing ofan optoelectronic module about an axis of rotation. The optoelectronicmodule and the housing may respectively include the optoelectronicmodule 200, 300, 400 and the housing 201, 301, 401 described herein.

The latch mechanism may additionally a pivot member and a cam member.The pivot pins 224 in FIGS. 2A-3F and the pivot protrusions 424 of FIGS.4A-4F are each examples of the pivot member. The cam pins 218 and 418 ofFIGS. 2A-4F are each examples of the cam member. The pivot member may becoupled to the driver or to the housing. The cam member may be coupledto the driver and may be configured to engage the follower from withinan opening defined by the follower so as to urge the follower to sliderelative to the housing as the driver is rotated between a latchedposition and an unlatched position.

The embodiments described herein may be combined or modified as desiredand are not mutually exclusive unless explicitly stated or contextdictates otherwise. For example, an optoelectronic module may includeany of the optoelectronic modules 200, 300, 400 of FIGS. 2A-4F or othersuitable optoelectronic modules. Alternately or additionally, a latchmechanism may include any of the latch mechanisms illustrated in FIGS.2A-4F.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optoelectronic module, comprising: a housing;a driver coupled to the housing and configured to rotate about an axis,wherein the driver comprises a base and first and second arms thatextend from opposite ends of the base; a follower configured to slideforward or rearward relative to the housing in response to rotation ofthe driver between a latched position and an unlatched position, whereinthe follower comprises a base and two upright portions that extend in acommon direction from opposite ends of the base of the follower, whereineach of the upright portions includes a closed upright slot and a closedhorizontal slot, wherein each of the upright portions are operablyconnected to a corresponding one of the first and second arms.
 2. Theoptoelectronic module of claim 1, further comprising: a first pivotmember coupled to the first arm of the driver or to the housing; asecond pivot member coupled to the second arm of the driver or to thehousing, wherein the first and second pivot members define an axis ofrotation; a first cam member coupled to the first arm of the driver at afirst location radially offset from the axis of rotation; and a secondcam member coupled to the second arm of the driver at a second locationradially offset from the axis of rotation.
 3. The optoelectronic moduleof claim 2, wherein: the first and second cam members are configured toengage the follower from within the closed upright slots to slide thefollower forward or rearward relative to the housing and responsive torotation of the driver between the latched and unlatched positions; thetwo upright portions of the follower are at least partially disposedbetween the first and second arms of the driver; and the closedhorizontal slots of the upright portions of the follower eachaccommodate a corresponding one of the first or second pivot memberswhen the follower slides relative to the housing.
 4. The optoelectronicmodule of claim 2, wherein the first pivot member comprises a firstpivot pin inserted through a first opening defined in the first arm ofthe driver, wherein the second pivot member comprises a second pivot pininserted through a second opening defined in the second arm of thedriver.
 5. The optoelectronic module of claim 4, wherein the first pivotpin and the second pivot pin are coupled to opposite sides of thehousing.
 6. The optoelectronic module of claim 2, wherein the firstpivot member comprises a first pivot protrusion, wherein the secondpivot member comprises a second pivot protrusion, wherein the firstpivot protrusion and the second pivot protrusion extend outward fromopposite sides of the housing.
 7. The optoelectronic module of claim 2,wherein: the first cam member comprises a first cam pin that includes ahead positioned on an outside of the first arm and a shaft that extendsfrom the head of the first cam pin through the first arm toward thesecond arm; and the second cam member comprises a second cam pin thatincludes a head positioned on an outside of the second arm and a shaftthat extends from the head of the second cam pin through the second armtoward the first arm.
 8. The optoelectronic module of claim 2, wherein:the first cam member and the second cam member are configured to engagethe follower from within the closed upright slots of the uprightportions of the follower to slide the follower forward or rearwardrelative to the housing and responsive to rotation of the driver betweenthe latched and unlatched positions; a front of the housing is at leastpartially disposed between the two upright portions of the follower; thetwo upright portions of the follower are at least partially disposedbetween the first and second arms of the driver; and the closedhorizontal slots of the upright portions of the follower eachaccommodate a corresponding one of the first or second pivot memberswithout being encumbered thereby when the follower slides relative tothe housing.
 9. The optoelectronic module of claim 1, wherein: thefollower further comprises at least one arm that extends rearward fromone of the upright portions; the at least one arm defines anelectromagnetic interference (EMI) window; the housing includes an EMIprotrusion positioned so as to extend through the EMI window; and theEMI protrusion is configured to be in contact with a cage of a hostdevice in which the optoelectronic module is inserted.
 10. Theoptoelectronic module of claim 1, wherein: the housing defines at leasttwo indentations in a bottom surface of the housing that is adjacent tothe base of the follower; the optoelectronic module includes at leasttwo compression springs, each of the at least two compression springspositioned in a corresponding one of the at least two indentations; thebase of the follower includes at least two upwardly-directed tabs, eachof the at least two upwardly-directed tabs extending into acorresponding one of the at least two indentations to engage a rearwardend of a corresponding one of the at least two compression springs; andthe at least two compression springs urge against the at least twoupwardly-directed tabs to bias the follower toward a rear of thehousing.
 11. The optoelectronic module of claim 1, wherein: the baseincludes a cantilever spring configured to cooperate with an indentationin a bottom surface of the housing that is adjacent to the base of thefollower to urge the follower toward a front of the optoelectronicmodule.